Why do aircraft arrive and depart at night and in the early morning, isn’t there a curfew?

Paine Field is home to several companies that specialize in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance services, as well as more-than 500 based general aviation aircraft. Many of these operators rely on international scheduling and aircraft flow limitations, crew rest requirements, and an operational need to fly during nighttime hours. As a result, the airport has no mandatory curfew. A curfew implies a legal or statutory prohibition against operating during certain hours. The airport is owned by Snohomish County and managed as a public-use facility open 24 hours a day. The airport does have several voluntary noise abatement procedures in place. Airfield use also is restricted to a single runway from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to reduce nighttime traffic pattern noise.

Show All Answers

1. What is Paine Field’s airport configuration?
2. What determines runway use and the direction aircraft arrive and depart the airport?
3. Why is Paine Field so close to residential neighborhoods?
4. When does the airport close?
5. Does Paine Field monitor noise levels?
6. How is aircraft noise measured?
7. Do aircraft have to comply with local city, county and state noise ordinances?
8. What does the airport do to mitigate aircraft noise in the community?
9. Can the airport restrict certain aircraft from using the airfield?
10. Who controls what flight path jet aircraft fly and at what altitude?
11. Why do aircraft arrive and depart at night and in the early morning, isn’t there a curfew?
12. What is the minimum altitude an aircraft can fly over my residence?
13. Who do I contact if I have an inquiry regarding Paine Field noise or flight operations?